To say Jackass Forever is the culmination of a massive movie saga would be a misleading statement, this is not Lord of the Rings, no Star Wars entry nor even The Matrix Resurrections; it is, however, the final chapter in a long and painful career for the entire Jackass crew.
In the lead-up to the movie’s February release, Johnny Knoxville and the rest of the gang have gone on the record to say their stunts are starting to take a toll on their bodies, which is quite a statement given the hospital bills Jackass has racked up over the years. Even if fan-favorite Bam Margera barely shows up in Jackass Forever, the trailers released so far promise some of the franchise’s most gruesome stunts, so let’s take a look at the kind of painful feat Jackass' swan song will have to outclass this time around while leaving out the one that are just plain gross.
Paper Cuts - Jackass: The Movie
Ever since their early MTV days in the fall of 2000, production values for Jackass have only gone up, something that was greatly boosted when the crew got the chance to make their first movie with a budget of $5 million. Nevertheless, the beauty (and horror) behind “Paper Cuts” is how so much pain can be squeezed out of just a few sheets of paper as the guys take turns swiping away between their toes, fingers, and mouth.
Although highly unlikely to end up in a visit to the ER for Jackass' cast, “Paper Cuts” feel painful to watch and will probably send chills down many people’s spines. Despite its simplicity, it goes without saying this probably shouldn't be attempted at home by anyone.
The Lamborghini Tooth Pull - Jackass 3D
The first Jackass movie was such a hit that by the time Jackass 3D came around production had over $20 million to spend, and they sure one-upped themselves by pulling out Danger Ehren’s crooked tooth with a Lamborghini. This extraction method is obviously not medically sanctioned, because the angle upon which the fishing line pulls from is totally different to what a dentist would do, which is probably why Ehren ended up with a skull fracture running up his eye afterward.
At the time, the crew had medical professionals on set, and yet, one of the most interesting anecdotes came from Steve-O on the DRILLED podcast with Dr. Brady Smith, where he tells the host Don Vito was actually the first to undergo this procedure. Ultimately, the stunt featuring Don Vito was cut due to him being charged with sexual assault before Jackass Number Two finished its post-production stage, and though that footage may be lost, at least Jeff Tremaine got to shoot this terrible idea again for the third movie.
Riot Control Test 2 - Jackass Number Two
The phrase non-lethal military-grade weaponry is enough to strike fear in most people, which is probably why the I-460 Stingmore Mine that’s used here normally serves as a deterrent for crowd control in large areas. This close cousin to the M18 Claymore (a staple in FPS games like Call of Duty) is capable of bringing out some rare tears from Margera, which probably says a lot about the sheer brutality of using against civilians.
This stunt's older counterpart from the first movie sees Knoxville get shot with more brutal and non-lethal ammo, as a Mossberg 500 shotgun (Battlefield 5 style) is used to fire ALS’ “Pen-Prevent” rounds. Knoxville’s injury pretty much says it all here.
The Beehive Limo - Jackass Number Two
Bee stings hurt, and a getting full angry hive thrown at you inside a small space is bound to end up badly. Knoxville and Margera suit up as beekeepers to release an entire swarm of non-video game bees on their poor unsuspecting friends Dave England, Steve-O, Wee Man, Rick Kosick, and the late Ryan Dunn.
Of course, the fact that once everyone steps out of the limo they’re greeted by a bunch of marbles lying on the floor that make them fall to the sound of Elvis' "A Little Less Conversation" is what gives the entire stunt that comedic Jackass tone newcomers have to nail.
Golf Carts - Jackass: The Movie
After living through so many broken limbs and concussions, there are probably few things the Jackass guys are truly afraid of, which is why the seemingly innocent golf cart ride is so impactful once it ends. Although one can imagine crashing, flipping, and landing a full-speed golf kart hurt a lot, the guys seem to be having a blast until things suddenly turn a little dark after the final jump.
As Knoxville collapses onto his back all the fun and games come to an end when the entire crew realized he could have really hurt himself. The moment transforms into a genuine scare that’s rarely seen in Jackass, after all, Knoxville could have genuinely snapped his neck and the fact that Dunn’s driving is referenced carries a different meaning given he ultimately lost his life in a drunk-driving crash.
Jackass Forever will release exclusively in theaters on February 4, 2022.
